Peace Corps.

            Life after college.  What to do, where to go, and how you will actually make it in the ‘real world’ circulate the minds of almost every soon-to-graduate college student. I transferred to Chico State last fall in hopes of obtaining a degree in journalism – even though I had never previously studied the subject.  I planned on moving to New York, gaining residency, earning my Masters Degree in Journalism at NYU, and hoped to write for New York Magazine.  Sure enough I found myself hating journalism my first month studying.  A professor in one of my minor classes (sociology at the time) convinced me that sociology was the major for me.  I now plan to graduate next fall with my BA in Sociology.  Yes, I know, fabulous story.  My question then is what in the world will I do with a BA in Sociology?   Technically I will be considered a college graduate, but in my generation, the BA is like the high school diploma in the previous generation. 

            The solution to all of these questions can be simple.  First, I need to figure out what makes me happy, and realize what I want to do with the rest of my life.  One thing I have always wanted more than anything is to make a difference.  Somehow, someway.  I know it sounds incredibly cheesy, but I figure I’ve lived a pretty well off life, I should feel obligated to pass on the favor and help others.  These thoughts consistently boggle my mind since, as I have mentioned, I only have one year left in this form of academia.  Ironically enough, on one of the high-stress-decide-your-future-now days, in comes Travis Axton to speak to my Multicultural Literature class at Chico State.

            Axton is a Peace Corps. Representative for the entire West Coast, and was a health volunteer with the agency from 2002 to 2004 in Zambia.  It was fascinating to hear of the cultural experiences Axton encountered while in Zambia.  What was really interesting was the idea that the Peace Corps. didn’t just throw Axton into a needy country, nor did they let him choose where he wanted to go.  Never having gone through the process I can’t exactly say how it works, but it seems as though there are interviews and sessions that take place and the Peace Corps. actually place the volunteers in a country they feel is best for that individual.  Axton was sent to the rural area of Zambia, and from what it sounded like, was in for a pretty big culture shock when he arrived.  He wanted the full experience, so he became very involved with the community and relayed some of the Zambian traditions to us. 

            Prior to this demonstration, I really was compelled to further my curiosity with the official website for the agency (http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm).  The Peace Corps. was actually because of an idea made by Senator John F. Kennedy.  It is a voluntary service that brings those who join to developing countries, let them live there, and have them help the community in a variety of ways; sometimes along with other volunteers.  According to the website, Kennedy started the Corps. in hopes of promoting “world peace and friendship.”  The website gives a plethora of information regarding the mission of the Corps., the history, facts, management, benefits, etc.  The list goes on for quite some time.  After presented with information from Axton I couldn’t help but explore further.  It’s difficult to portray the website without giving out all of the information verbatim. 

            According to Axton, there are currently 8,000 volunteers overseas, about 40% being in Africa.  The Corps. has been active for about 48 years.  Although the mission for the volunteers is essentially similar, they are all sent out with different ‘jobs’ for their assigned country.  Axton was sent as a health volunteer, and even though we heard more about his cultural experience than we did about the work aspect, it seemed that he made a difference.  Helping the underprivileged country in areas that were crucial was an inspiring feature to adhere to.  He said that the cultural experience is probably the best thing you can gain from volunteering.  Some other benefits of joining are full medical/dental coverage, you receive a housing allowance that is adjusted for the living arrangements of the country you reside, and your travel is paid for.  When your term for volunteering ceases, you are given a readjustment fund for the United States (about $6,000).  Student loans can be put on reserve (which was an amazing thing to hear) and it looks really good on applications for future jobs, scholarships, internships, etc. 

            The relationships between the individuals Axton became friends with and himself were also amazing to hear.  It seems obvious that he made a difference in the rural community of Zambia in which he stayed.  I believe a friendship alone can help someone through a time of need, so even though the topic of Axton being a health volunteer was only mentioned a few times, I was able to see that he definitely made some sort of impact on that culture.  That thought alone made me want to sign the papers to join the Corps.  The presentation, along with the history and facts on the website, were beneficial to me in the sense that I now have an option standing prior to my graduation next spring.  The idea of joining seemed a little iffy at first; two years of volunteer work in a foreign country may seem absurd to individuals that are ignorant to purpose of the agency.  The goal I hope to obtain in my life revolves around making a difference.  I want to set the material factors aside and start working on the ideals, the values, of others and of myself.